Dark garnet color. A nose full of fruit. Raspberry, blackberry, oak. The palate reflects the nose. Add in some notes of spice, cherry. As for the tannins, they initially strike the front of the palate with little past that. Overall, they are quite, but not fully relaxed. There is little acidity resulting in a very moderate structure. But, for a 15 year old wine, it is drinking well. A medium long finish with no bitterness.
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Drank over two days. Dark garnet, full bodied, high ABV Slight vanilla and oak. Lots of dark fruit, Cassis, blueberries, pencil lead BOOM! BIG and Bold, but lots of structure. More finesse showing than one might have guessed. Its taste follows the nose. Some mint and baking spice present as well. This is a great bottle of wine that is drinking perfectly right now. GREAT QPR!
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Heady spicy nose. Rich, silky and smooth with balanced (not sweet!) blueberry jam. Soft and resolved tannins. Finish is refreshingly dry, with a little ash, and nice acidity. This wine has aged beautifully. Fine balance.
Nice wine, aging well, much better than my last bottle in 2010. gave it about one hour decant. Approaching its value. Not quite a $50 bottle of wine though.
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Popped and poured. This opened up nicely about an hour after opening. Cassis and blackberry on the nose with a hint of kirsch which later blew off. Medium bodied and quite refined on the palate with blackcurrant fruit and notes of roasted coffee. I found that there was considerable fall off after the initial attack and the finish was quite short with moderate tannins. Maybe this was an 'off' bottle but there was nothing to suggest that. Quite nice but would not buy again at $50+.
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Rich, deep black fruit. Popped and poured. Enjoyable, rich wine. Will be interested to see how this develops with some air, and how my other bottles develop with some time in the cellar.
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much better than my last experience with this wine, I decanted for about 2 1/2 hours, it helped. Wine isn't overly inspiring. It will improve with years of bottle time and maybe it will be something more than it is now. Ok wine, but not worth $50
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Pop and pour. Dark color. Great nose of blueberry and a hint of oak. Blueberry, cassis and a touch of smoke on the palate, with some mocha at the end and firm, slightly bitter tannins. May be even better with decanting.
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Needs to open and probably still too young. Much better on the second day as the first night it was still tight and tannic. The second day showed dark cherry, currant and smoke.
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really solid wine. Very rich with a nice blueberry and vanilla mid-palate with a opulent core that consists of toasted oak, mocha and a silky tannin. Really good wine for the price
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Underrated by this forum IMHO. I've tasted this wine half a dozen times over the course of the past 8 months. Yes this wine is young, but it's a young, full-bodied cab. And like most it needs TIME or DECANTING to bring out its best, so hold for at least another few years or decant for at least 5hrs. Luscious black fruit, boysenberry, currant, vanilla, and background cocoa, the nose on this wine is nothing short of spectacular. Fragrant enough where the table next to you may even pick up on the wonderful scent upon opening/decanting. You may find yourself continuously inhaling from your glass just for fun. Though full, rich, and wonderful on the tongue, this wine is best at the front of the line if tasting several. If decanted for long enough (sure, swirl and really macerate this one, it can take it), you may notice the beginnings of malolactic fermentation on the palate and, if you "think" it enough, a smooth chocolate-like finish.
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9 months since last bottle and this wine has improved. Still has lots of dark fruit, vanilla, leather and tobacco leaf aromas. Rich, plush flavors of plum, blackberry, vanilla and sweet oak are balanced nicely with the fine, supple tannins. Lovely, rich, persistent finish.
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One of my favorite wines at this tasting. Lovely aromas of dark fruits, vanilla, leather and tobacco leaf. Ripe, rich flavors of plum, blackberry, bosenberry, vanilla and sweet oak. Rich tannins and lively finish, this wine should get better with age. Strong value - High End Winery and world class wine maker - Philipe Melka for around $50.
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Incredibly silky texture, very enjoyable now but with the somewhat heavy tannins I would wait 5 years if you like them relatively young. Cassis and red currant dominate the profile of this wine, with some coffee notes lingering in the finish.
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Very unimpressive. Very disappointing. I have one bottle left and I will just put it away for years and hope this wine comes around. The finish was like almost non existent. Had herbal flavors, sort of a "green" taste. Definitely young and not very inspiring.
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Was really looking forward to trying this. Nose had too much alcohol content which was overpowering. Nice color depth and legs. Complex, abundant amount of pepper, the tannins receded after 30 minutes of air, and lots of fruit. The finish was too short for my taste; no lingering after-effects. The entire table enjoyed it; price-point is good. Comparable to other cabernets from Napa, nothing REALLY distinguishes it from the rest of the pack except for some additional complexity. We're looking forward to trying the estate cabernet for comparison and final judgement.
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Far different than the 2004. Still a very! young wine, but does not have the opulent richness most Vineyard 29's and the 2004 Cru had. This had a very sharp tannic edge to it and far more herbal and green notes that bright rich fruits. I will hold off a year + before the next one, overall not a great showing from V29.
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Rich, ripe and lush fruit in the mouth, aromas of dark fruit, tobacco leaf, and vanilla. Lots of layered fruit and supple tannins. Likely will be better with a year or two of bottle age.
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Very firm cedar nose. Currant and blackberry components. Complex and rich from the front to the back of the palette. I expect improvement in the next one to two years.
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Blinded by the Wine (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had red and black fruits, plus vanilla. The palate was smooth, with blackberry, spice, and earth. The finish was very good.
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5/21/2020 - DonWinspear Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark garnet color. A nose full of fruit. Raspberry, blackberry, oak. The palate reflects the nose. Add in some notes of spice, cherry. As for the tannins, they initially strike the front of the palate with little past that. Overall, they are quite, but not fully relaxed. There is little acidity resulting in a very moderate structure. But, for a 15 year old wine, it is drinking well. A medium long finish with no bitterness.
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12/11/2019 - adaptation Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good wine, aged well. Would by more, decanted one bottle, after 1 hour it was singing
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6/24/2018 - edjBoca Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sweet fruit with a huge glycerin mid palate. Decent finish...plush, low acid.
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12/25/2016 - Genghis88 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank over two days.
Dark garnet, full bodied, high ABV
Slight vanilla and oak. Lots of dark fruit, Cassis, blueberries, pencil lead
BOOM! BIG and Bold, but lots of structure. More finesse showing than one might have guessed. Its taste follows the nose. Some mint and baking spice present as well.
This is a great bottle of wine that is drinking perfectly right now. GREAT QPR!
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7/5/2015 - Sijan Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely Napa Cab
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11/10/2014 - Coachron13 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wanted a little more from it than I got. A little heat, a little acidity. A solid cab, better with food.
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9/20/2014 - glennramsdell wrote: 93 Points
Heady spicy nose. Rich, silky and smooth with balanced (not sweet!) blueberry jam. Soft and resolved tannins. Finish is refreshingly dry, with a little ash, and nice acidity. This wine has aged beautifully. Fine balance.
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9/14/2013 - izzybb Likes this wine: 90 Points
Should have decanted. Took about 45 min to open up. Drinking much better than last year.
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6/13/2013 - ddingley Likes this wine: 92 Points
very rich and full-bodied, needed some time to open up and did better with the red meat
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8/19/2012 - wallstreet wrote: 89 Points
Nice wine, aging well, much better than my last bottle in 2010. gave it about one hour decant. Approaching its value. Not quite a $50 bottle of wine though.
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3/18/2012 - izzybb wrote: 88 Points
Lovely wine. High amounts of sediment throughout. Should have pulled the bottle in advance of serving. Went great with our aged NY Strips.
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9/28/2011 - Yamadori wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured. This opened up nicely about an hour after opening. Cassis and blackberry on the nose with a hint of kirsch which later blew off. Medium bodied and quite refined on the palate with blackcurrant fruit and notes of roasted coffee. I found that there was considerable fall off after the initial attack and the finish was quite short with moderate tannins. Maybe this was an 'off' bottle but there was nothing to suggest that. Quite nice but would not buy again at $50+.
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6/3/2011 - spretzer wrote: 91 Points
a very nice bottle of wine. very silky, tannins have softened nicely and in a good place now but with plenty left in it.
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4/3/2011 - JElk wrote: 93 Points
one of the best $50 bottles I've ever tasted
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3/24/2011 - JElk wrote: 93 Points
Dont know about 2006, but 2005 is one of the best $50 wines on the market.
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3/10/2011 - GolferChris wrote: 92 Points
Still has youthful tannins, rich mouthfeel. Lush ripe fruit with lots of finesse. Long lingering finish.
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11/28/2010 - MLwine wrote: 91 Points
Rich, deep black fruit. Popped and poured. Enjoyable, rich wine. Will be interested to see how this develops with some air, and how my other bottles develop with some time in the cellar.
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9/5/2010 - rlleigh wrote: 96 Points
Exceptional wine! Worth the price. If I could get a buy on this wine, I would buy 6 bottles for future drinking.
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4/25/2010 - jrf wrote: 91 Points
We opened and poured; very enjoyable. Smooth, very nice dark fruit. I was sad when the bottle was empty!
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4/18/2010 - wallstreet wrote: 88 Points
much better than my last experience with this wine, I decanted for about 2 1/2 hours, it helped. Wine isn't overly inspiring. It will improve with years of bottle time and maybe it will be something more than it is now. Ok wine, but not worth $50
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12/13/2009 - JohnBlueLabel wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour. Dark color. Great nose of blueberry and a hint of oak. Blueberry, cassis and a touch of smoke on the palate, with some mocha at the end and firm, slightly bitter tannins. May be even better with decanting.
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8/23/2009 - Acohen wrote: 89 Points
Needs to open and probably still too young. Much better on the second day as the first night it was still tight and tannic. The second day showed dark cherry, currant and smoke.
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8/22/2009 - zimmy07 wrote:
really solid wine. Very rich with a nice blueberry and vanilla mid-palate with a opulent core that consists of toasted oak, mocha and a silky tannin. Really good wine for the price
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7/6/2009 - brewking wrote: 90 Points
hollow mid palate, tasted watery and wet...(crazy i know) but there were some nice hints of smoke , chocolate cherries.
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6/14/2009 - jtcseventysix wrote: 92 Points
Liquid candybar; great nose of plum fruit and mild oak; ripe cherries and plums with firm, smooth structure and notes of chocolate or caramel.
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1/24/2009 - Myrtle wrote: 94 Points
Underrated by this forum IMHO. I've tasted this wine half a dozen times over the course of the past 8 months. Yes this wine is young, but it's a young, full-bodied cab. And like most it needs TIME or DECANTING to bring out its best, so hold for at least another few years or decant for at least 5hrs. Luscious black fruit, boysenberry, currant, vanilla, and background cocoa, the nose on this wine is nothing short of spectacular. Fragrant enough where the table next to you may even pick up on the wonderful scent upon opening/decanting. You may find yourself continuously inhaling from your glass just for fun. Though full, rich, and wonderful on the tongue, this wine is best at the front of the line if tasting several. If decanted for long enough (sure, swirl and really macerate this one, it can take it), you may notice the beginnings of malolactic fermentation on the palate and, if you "think" it enough, a smooth chocolate-like finish.
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1/1/2009 - jaylew1 wrote:
WAIT. Way too early
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11/7/2008 - KeithAkers wrote: 91 Points
Binny's California Night (Binny's, Highland Park IL): nose: nice rich and layered nose filled with dark cherries, cranberries, red currants, and some oak poking through
taste: very good full bodied feel with a richness and depth to the flavors with dark cherries, red currants, and oak
overall: The tannins are nice and chewy on this providing a good backbone. Great full bodied feel and smooth texture with a tasty red currant finish
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10/12/2008 - GolferChris wrote: 92 Points
9 months since last bottle and this wine has improved. Still has lots of dark fruit, vanilla, leather and tobacco leaf aromas. Rich, plush flavors of plum, blackberry, vanilla and sweet oak are balanced nicely with the fine, supple tannins. Lovely, rich, persistent finish.
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9/13/2008 - GolferChris wrote: 92 Points
One of my favorite wines at this tasting. Lovely aromas of dark fruits, vanilla, leather and tobacco leaf. Ripe, rich flavors of plum, blackberry, bosenberry, vanilla and sweet oak. Rich tannins and lively finish, this wine should get better with age. Strong value - High End Winery and world class wine maker - Philipe Melka for around $50.
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8/31/2008 - pakabear wrote: 91 Points
Incredibly silky texture, very enjoyable now but with the somewhat heavy tannins I would wait 5 years if you like them relatively young. Cassis and red currant dominate the profile of this wine, with some coffee notes lingering in the finish.
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8/23/2008 - Paul Lin wrote: 91 Points
Cali Winemakers Offline - Barrett, Browne, Kurtzman, Melka and Masyczek (Brentwood, CA): A bit muted on the nose with notes of cassis and dried herbs on the palate. Soft and elegant in the mouth with a pillowy texture.
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8/16/2008 - B Paul wrote: 92 Points
Paired nicely with buffalo tenderloin in Montana.
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3/25/2008 - wallstreet wrote: 87 Points
Very unimpressive. Very disappointing. I have one bottle left and I will just put it away for years and hope this wine comes around. The finish was like almost non existent. Had herbal flavors, sort of a "green" taste. Definitely young and not very inspiring.
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2/17/2008 - stanford88 wrote: 90 Points
Was really looking forward to trying this. Nose had too much alcohol content which was overpowering. Nice color depth and legs. Complex, abundant amount of pepper, the tannins receded after 30 minutes of air, and lots of fruit. The finish was too short for my taste; no lingering after-effects. The entire table enjoyed it; price-point is good. Comparable to other cabernets from Napa, nothing REALLY distinguishes it from the rest of the pack except for some additional complexity. We're looking forward to trying the estate cabernet for comparison and final judgement.
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1/25/2008 - zimmy07 wrote: 86 Points
Far different than the 2004. Still a very! young wine, but does not have the opulent richness most Vineyard 29's and the 2004 Cru had. This had a very sharp tannic edge to it and far more herbal and green notes that bright rich fruits. I will hold off a year + before the next one, overall not a great showing from V29.
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1/12/2008 - GolferChris wrote: 91 Points
Rich, ripe and lush fruit in the mouth, aromas of dark fruit, tobacco leaf, and vanilla. Lots of layered fruit and supple tannins. Likely will be better with a year or two of bottle age.
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12/26/2007 - BSquared wrote: 89 Points
Very good wine, though a bit young. Could use a year or more in the cellar.
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12/18/2007 - DT-Mills wrote: 91 Points
Very firm cedar nose. Currant and blackberry components. Complex and rich from the front to the back of the palette. I expect improvement in the next one to two years.
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12/1/2007 - wineloverkang wrote: flawed
flawed
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11/28/2007 - phenricsson wrote: 91 Points
Rich, ripe and delicious.
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11/13/2007 - kstoddard wrote: 86 Points
Nice floral nose. Cherries, blackberries. Firms tannins. Could use more acidity to restore the balance. Finishes with some heat. A bit disappointing.
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11/1/2007 - jtcseventysix wrote: 90 Points
Very fruit forward, but with more depth. Sweet plum fruit and robust, yet soft tannins. Consumed on the Wednesday before my wedding with family.
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10/13/2007 - mmurry wrote: 91 Points
Blinded by the Wine (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had red and black fruits, plus vanilla. The palate was smooth, with blackberry, spice, and earth. The finish was very good.
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